Excited with every little discovery: Fear of failure must never diminish the belief in our abilities – Dr Stella Manoli, Associate at the University of Strathclyde

Dr Stella Manoli is a Soapbox Science Bristol speaker and teaching associate at the University of Strathclyde’s Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department. Stella did undergraduate and master’s degrees in physics, but decided to change field and move into mechanical engineering for her PhD. She now focuses on the manufacturing of crystals for quantum communication on satellites.

Stella is taking part in Soapbox Science Bristol, which takes place on 22^ndJune between 12pm and 3pm. This will be hosted via a Zoom webinar. The title of her talk is: “Wizards Scientists in training: Light spells to hide and reveal objects.”

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

My journey started the moment I decided to choose physics, maths, chemistry, and biology as the four main GCSEs during high school. Physics stood out for me, leading me to university studying and obtaining an undergraduate degree in it, from the University of Crete.

During the last year of my undergraduate studies, as part of my final year project, I had my first hands-on experience with femtosecond lasers for nanosurgery applications. At that moment, I immediately knew about my next step.

Following my undergraduate studies, I did my postgraduate degree at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. During my master’s degree thesis, I specialised in using different types of magnetometers, measuring and analysing the earth’s magnetic field anomalies.

At that time, I had my first job offer and worked as a student assistant at Bayerisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege.

The decision to continue with a PhD was something that came naturally to me. Working in laboratories is my happy place and therefore I decided to push myself a bit more at that time, changing fields and becoming a PhD student in mechanical engineering, at the University of Sheffield.

I spent three years in a composites laboratory, manufacturing materials from natural resources for high-energy applications. At the same time, I worked as a graduate teaching assistant, supervising students during laboratory experiments.

At the end of my PhD, I took one step further and worked as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) research associate. My research project focused on the development of optical waveguide devices in nonlinear optical materials for quantum applications.

An optical waveguide is a physical structure that guides electromagnetic waves in the optical spectrum (the optical spectrum is the portion of the electromagnetic range that is visible to the human eye). Common types of optical waveguides include optical fibre and transparent waveguides made of plastic and glass.

During the last year, I have been a lecturer in the department of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Strathclyde.

“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows” is one of my favourite quotes by the journalist, Sydney J. Harris. When you gaze into a mirror, the only things you see are your reflection and a limited area around you. However, when you look out of a window, the view can be almost endless.

Using physics to protect data

My job can be divided into two parts: teaching and experiments. On a day-to-day basis, I am lecturing undergraduate and postgraduate students in the mechanical and aerospace department.

During the last year, I delivered the engineering analysis and numerical methods module, which is a module designed to teach the basic principles of programming and the solution of mathematical problems with numerical techniques.

Also, at a postgraduate level, I taught advanced materials modules, such as composite materials and engineering mechanics. On an experimental basis, I focused on the field of quantum applications, more specifically quantum communication.

Simply, I am investigating ways I can use light (laser sources) for material manufacturing and characterisation. So far, quantum-sensitive data are encrypted and sent across fibre-optic cables. Quantum communication takes advantage of the laws of quantum physics to protect data.

Quantum communications have tremendous implications, such as in the banking industry (protecting sensitive client information), for governments that need to protect large amounts of classified data with long-term sensitivity, both inside the country and on a global scale and many more.

Fascinating, cool and interesting

The title of my Soapbox Science talk is “Wizards Scientists in training: Light spells to hide and reveal objects.”

As scientists, we are doing cool experiments in the labs and, with this talk, I would like to demonstrate fascinating, cool, and interesting experiments (some of them can be replicated in our own houses!), and provide the scientific explanation of the presented demonstrations.

Some of these experiments will include a hidden object that will be revealed!

The goal is to stop people from getting the wrong impression about science, which is that it is only happening behind closed lab doors. We are surrounded by science, it’s time to have some fun with it and learn how and why these phenomena exist.

I started preparing for this talk quite a long time ago now. I spent some time thinking about what message I would like my audience to take home, then I practiced a lot on replicating the experiments and on my speech. I wanted to present the experiments while analysing the effects scientifically accurately, but avoiding overcomplicated definitions and equations.

Bringing science to the people

Events like Soapbox Science achieve to make science available to the public: Scientists from different universities and scientific fields taking their projects to the streets, sharing their knowledge, and engaging with the public.

The idea of interacting with the audience and especially young children is fascinating for me. Additionally, these events are increasing the visibility of women in science and breaking stereotypes!

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to run this year’s Soapbox Science event online. For sure, the interaction with the audience is a key element for a successful event, but we will not let the need to deliver Soapbox Science online cut down our enthusiasm.

We will use all the available online tools to communicate with our audience as best as we can.

Communication and collaboration of scientists from diverse backgrounds is vital

The quality of engineering is affected by diversity, or rather the lack of it. As engineers, we are problem-solvers. We identify and analyse a problem, test alternative ideas, analyse (again) the collected results, and apply a solution.

When we are dealing with complex engineering problems, we need minds from diverse backgrounds. People with different knowledge, experience, ideas… The communication and collaboration of scientists from diverse backgrounds lead to more creative and innovative ideas.

Want to get into engineering? We are here to help!

No one has ever said that a career in engineering and sciences is easy or full of continued success. However, the fear of failure must never diminish the belief in our abilities.

There are so many disciplines in the engineering field; mechanical, chemical, bio, civil. Of course, people that are interested in a career in engineering may feel overwhelmed, but we are here to help! Universities all over the country organise open days, where you can go have a look in the labs and talk to scientists.

During the past years, STEM ambassadors became more visible on social media too (try searching for #stem and #stemambassadors), just spot one and we are happy to help in any way.

Also, STEM events are organised throughout the year either in local schools, in online events, or events as Soapbox. Come, enjoy it and ask your questions!